Overview for Mantravalli: An Anthology of Sacred Chants

In many traditional cultures the use of sound is a significant aspect of spiritual practice. More so in the Indian tradition, where sound, especially as embodied in the Veda-s, is exalted to a status second only to the Supreme.

Believed to have been revealed to ancient Indian Rsi-s while in a deep meditative state, the Veda-s are a vast collection of hymns that form the basis of the Sanatana-dharma and are held to be sacrosanct by its adherents. They are also the authoritative source of many significant schools of Indian wisdom and philosophy.

The Veda-s are the source of mantra-s that have been and are in practice. Mantra-s are powerful sounds, which when pronounced in the right manner and with the right intention, produce specify vibrations within our body. These vibrations have the ability to positively influence our physiological state, thereby improving physical, mental and emotional health.

This apart, Mantra-s can also be used to bring about specific therapeutic effects in practitioners.

Mantravalli literally means a creeper of chants. This anthology contains a careful selection chants from various sections of the Veda-s, as taught by the legendary T Krishnamacharya. These include passages from some of the primary Upanisad-s, Samhita-s and Aranyaka-s, as well as popular Suktam-s and Sloka-s.

The chants are presented both in the traditional Devnagari script and in the Roman transliteration form. Descriptive introductions to each chant are presented in English, French and German.